Door latch and lock



Dec. 11, 1951 E. w. GIFFORD DOOR LATCH AND LOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1947 JNVENTOR. EARL W GIFFORD I AGE/VT Dec. 11, 1951 E. w. GIFFORD 2,578,004

DOOR LATCH AND LOCK Filed Aug. 25, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR LATCH AND LOCK Earl W. Gifford, San Diego, Calif. Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,419

6 Claims. (01. 70-146) My invention relates to a door latch and lock, more particularly to such a latch and lock having reciprocating handles, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a door latch and lock of this class in which the handles thereof are arranged to be reciprocally operated in the direction it is desired to open the door whereby a simpler and more natural mode of operation is obtained.

Second, to provide a door latch and lock of this class having very safe and efficient dual locking means for prevention of unauthorized people from opening a door in which my door latch and lock is installed.

Third, to provide a door latch and lock of this class which is very compact and simple to install.

Fourth, to provide a door latch and lock of this class having a locking bolt therein provided with a roller engageable with a reciprocally operated cam whereby withdrawal of said bolt is I very positive and requires the expenditure of a relatively small amount of force for opening said bolt from its striker.

Fifth, to provide a door latch and lock of this class which is very quiet and smooth in operation.

Sixth, to provide a door lock and latch of this class which is provided with novel bolt striker means adapted to rotate the end of the bolt into place inwardly of the striker plate.

Seventh, to provide a door lock and latch of this class having substantially cylindrical cscutcheons which compensate for the installation of my door latch and lock in the doors of various thickness.

' Eighth, to provide a door lock and latch of this class having a lock shaft extending through the plunger thereof from the tumbler lock on one side of the door on which my lock is installed to a control button on the other side of the door whereby said lock may be readily released from the inside of the door and readily locked from the outside by common shaft whereby extreme simplicity of operation of said lock is obtained.

Ninth, to provide a door latch and lock of this class having a novel bolt actuating spring and retracting mechanism, and

Tenth, to provide a door latch and lock of this class which is very simple and economical of construction in proportion to its utility and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of cer tain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon forming apart of this application in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my door latch and lock shown in connection with a fragmentary portion of a door and door jam; Figure 2 is a sectional view of my door latch and lock taken from the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 44 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5 5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 66 of Figure 2; Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 1-1 of Figure 2, and Figure 8 is an enlarged.

fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The bolt I, spring bearing blocks 2, bolt spring 3, rollers 4 and 5, ball bearings 6, bolt casing 1,

plunger casings 8 and 9, plunger supporting tubes I0 and II, plunger I2, lock shaft I3, locking eccentric I4, locking pin I5, detent I6, escutcheons I! and I8, casing caps I9 and 20, spacers 2| and 22, guide plate 23, snap ring 24, plunger locating plates 25 and 26, handles 21 and 28, tumbler lock 29, thumbcontrol button 30, handle bases 3| and 32, bolt 33, striker 34, striker plate 35, cushions 36, and the plunger return spring 31 constitute the principal parts and portions of my door latch and lock. Y

.The bolt I is provided with an,angu1ar cam face la and a straight latching face lb in opposed relationship thereto similar to conventional door locking bolts. This bolt I is provided with an opening I g therein in which the spring bearing block 2 is reciprocally mounted and engaged by the spring 3 which tends to force said spring bearing block 2 toward the plunger I2. This bolt I is provided with bearing race portions 'Ic at opposite sides thereof in which the ball bearings 6 are engaged and maintained in contact with the inner walls of the bolt casing l as shown best in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. Thus the ball bearings Bprovide for the smooth reciprocal operation of the bolt I in the bolt casing 'l. Rotatably mounted in fixed re- 3 lationship internally of the opening la in the bolt I is the roller 5 which engages one side of the plunger I2. The spring bearing block 2 carries the roller 4 rotatably mounted in connection therewith which engages the opposite side of the plunger I2 in compressed engaged relationship therewith urged by the spring 3. Thus, the spring 3 tends to extend the bolt I into the striker plate 35 at one side of the striker 34 which is a square in cross section member pivotly mounted on a pin 34a secured in connection with the striker plate 35, all as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the bolt casing 7 is provided with flange portions 1a arranged to be secured at the outer edge of the door in which my door latch and lock isinstalled. Secured-- in screw threaded relationship with opposite sides of the bolt casing I are the plunger casings 8 and 9. These plunger casings 8 and 9 are hollow cylindrical externally threaded casings having diametrically stepped portions 8a and 9a respectively shoulderin'g against the outer opposite sides of the bolt casing 1, all as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. 'The plunger casing B is provided with an internal ledge 81) engaging the flange I'Iia of the plunger supporting tube III. This plunger supporting tube Ill is externally screw threaded and rigidly connected to the .handle 21. The casing cap I9 'is externally screw threaded on the outer side of the plunger casing 3 and maintains the spring '31 in engaged relation with the flange Illa of the plunger supporting tube ID which spring 3! tends to force the handle '21 together with the plunger supporting tube inwardly toward'the bolt I, the force of the spring '31 being resisted by the flange I'Oa resting on the shoulder 81) of the plunger supporting tube I0 and plunger casing 8 respectively. Engaging the inner end of the casing cap I9 is a spacer 2| which is a helical coil of fiat wire designed to prevent movement of the plunger casing 8 within the inletted portion of the door in which my door latch and lock is mounted. "The escut'cheon I1 is a hollow cylindrical escutcheon adapted to be used in connectionfwith doors of various thickness which overlaps the casing cap I9 and covers the spacer 2| providing va neat appearance of my door latch and look when installed in .connection with doors of various thickness. The plunger casing 9 is screw threaded in the side wall of the bolt casing 7 as herebeiore described, and is provided with an internal shoulder 91) engaged by the guide plate 23 held in place by the snap ring 21. This guide plate 23 is provided with an opening 23a therein through which the plunger I2 extends, as shown best in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings. Externally screw threaded on the outer end of the plunger casing .9 is the casing cap which engages the spacer 22 similar to the spacer 2| hereinbefore described surrounded by the escutcheon I8 similar to the hereinbeiore described escutcheon H. The plunger supporting tube II is externally screw threaded internally of the handle 28 and is substantially shorter than the plunger supporting tube IIl permitting inward movement thereof into the plunger casing 9. The plunger locating plates .25 and 26 are similar in construction and are substantially U-shaped as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings engaging annular grooves I21: and I2?) respectively in opposite ends of the plunger I2. These plunger locating plates 25 and 26 are internally shouldered in the 4 plunger supporting tubes III and II and serve to support the plunger I2 in these tubes III and II during their reciprocal movement in the plunger casings 8 and 9 through the bolt casing I. The plunger I2 is provided with an inclined cam surface I2c on its one side engageable with the roller 5 for retracting the bolt I from the striker 34. The opposite side I2d of this plunger I2 is straight and provides a constant bearing surface on which the roller I is engaged whereby a constant abutment for the spring 3 is provided. The plunger I2 is provided with a bore I2e extending centrally therethrough in which the lock shaft I3 is rotatably mounted. On one end of this shaft I3 is provided an engaging lever |3a having a projection I3b engaged by the eccentric pin 29a of the conventional tumbler lock 29. Extending through this shaft I3'near its opposite end is a pin I3c engaging a washer I3d in the recess 21a 0! the handle' 2'l which locates the shaft is longitudinally of the plunger I2. The inner 'end of the shaft '13 is fitted with a thumb control button 30 located in a recess 21b in the handle 21, providing manual control for rotation "of the shaft I3 inwardly of the door in which my door latch and lock'is installed. The shaft I3 is provided with a spur gear portion 13:: meshing with gear teeth I5'a on the pin I5. The teeth I'Sa on the pin I5 form a rack which permits rotation of the shaft I3 to reciprocate said-pin I5 vertically in the plunger I2 causing said pin I5 tobe extended into a recess portion Id in the bolt I, as shown best in Figure 8 of the drawings. Adjacent the spur "gear portion I30 of the shaft I3 is the eccentric lock I4 secured on said shaft "I3 extendible into interfering relationship with the inletted opening 23a in the guide plate 23, thus preventing reciprocal movement of the plunger 12 toward the inner side of the 'door in which my door latch and lock is inletted. The 'springloaded detent I6 engages recess portion Ila in the eccentric lock I4 when in certain positions ior 'holding the same in such positions, all as shown best in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings. It will be here noted that the plunger I2 .is provided with an opening I21 therein adjacent the inclined cam portion l'2c in which said eccentric lock I4 is positioned. The'handle's :21 and 23 are mounted in connection with the handle bases 3'I and 32 respectively by means '01 pins (Ma and 32a respectively. it will be noted that the axis of the pins am and 3211 are a sumcient distance from the axis of the plunger I2 so that slight tole'rance is required between the plunger supporting tubes Ill and II, -plunger I2 and the casing "capsxlfl and '20. it will be obvious that the "plunger supporting tubes It and II travel in a slightly *arcnate'path during reciprocal movement of the plunger I2 for a short distance sumcient to retract the bolt I from the striker 3'4 for opening the door to which my door latch and lock is secured.

The operation or my door latch and lock is substantially as 'iollowsi When a person at the outside of the door desires to open the same, be presses inwardly on the handle 28 which .pivots .on the "pin 3211.. With the inward :pivotal movement of the. handle 18, the plunger supporting ltlibe II is forced inwardly of the plunger casing 9 and the'inc'line'd surface engaging the roller 5 forces the same laterally of the plunger- I2 causing tra i H l w i -co re s the spring 3 and maintains the rollers 4 and 5 in positive engaged relationship with opposite sides of the plunger 2. When the door is again closed, the spring 3! returns the plunger E2 to its original position as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and the flange Illa of the plunger supporting tube engages the shelf 81) of the plunger casing 8 positively indexing the plunger l2 relatively to the roller 5 so that maximum extension of the bolt l is accomplished in order to properly engage the same with the striker 3d. It will be noted that as the bolt l at its base la passes the striker 3d, the striker 34 rotates on the pin 34a reducing considerably the friction in the closing of the bolt I relatively to the striker plate 35. When it is desired to lock the door from the outside, a key is inserted in the tumbler lock 29 and the pin 29a thereof is rotated carrying the plate l3a and engaging the same at its extension l3b which rotates the shaft I3 disposing the eccentric Hi in interfering relation with one side of the guide plate 23, and rotation of the shaft i3 also actuates the spur gear portion 13c of said shaft l3 in its meshed relationship with the rack teeth |5a of the pin 15 which causes said pin I5 to be extended into the recess id of the bolt I.

Thus a dual locking arrangement of my door latch and lock is provided which renders the same very safe and secure from lock pickers or unauthorized persons. The shaft 13 may be rotated to the unlocked position by means of the thumb control knob at the inner side of the door as desired.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a door latch of the class described, the combination of a bolt casing, a bolt reciprocally mounted therein having an opening therethrough, a spring bearing block in said opening, a spring engaging said bolt and tending to force said spring bearing block toward one end of said bolt, a plunger extending through said opening in said bolt intermediate said spring bearing block and the opposite end of said bolt, said plunger provided with cam means arranged to retract said bolt into said casing, a roller on said spring bearing block engageable by one side of said plunger, and a second roller rigidly connected to said bolt engageable with said cam means on said plunger, a tumbler lock at one end of said plunger, a shaft operatively connected with said tumbler lock extending through said plunger and having a geared portion thereon, a pin having a rack portion in mesh with said gear portion extending through said plunger, said bolt provided with a recess adapted to receive said pin.

2. In a door latch of the class described. the combination of a bolt casing, a bolt reciprocally mounted therein having an opening therethrough, a spring bearing block in said opening, a spring engaging said bolt and tending to force said spring bearing block toward one end of said bolt, a plunger extending through said opening in said bolt intermediate said spring bearing block and the opposite end of said bolt, said plunger provided with cam means arranged to retract said bolt into said casing, a roller on said spring bearing block engageable by one side of said plunger, and a second roller rigidly connected to said bolt engageable with said cam means on said plunger, a tumbler lock at one end of said plunger, a shaft operatively connected with said tumbler lock extending through said plunger and having a geared portion thereon, a pin having a rack portion in mesh with said gear portion extending through said plunger, said bolt provided with a recess adapted to receive said pin, a guide plate through which the cam portion of said plunger extends, and an eccentric lock on said shaft extendible into interfering relationship with said guide plate.

3. In a door latch and lock of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted handles arranged to be positioned on opposed sides of a door, a plunger interconnecting said handle then extending through said door, and having an inclined cam portion thereon, a bolt having a roller engaging the cam portion of said plunger, a second roller being spring loaded and mounted within said bolt and engaging the opposite side of said plunger from said first-mentioned roller, a tumbler lock in connection with one of said handles, the shaft extending therefrom, a pin laterally reciprocal in said plunger operatively engageable with said shaft, said bolt provided with a recess engageable by said pin when said shaft is rotated.

4. In a door latch and lock of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted handles arranged to be positioned on opposed sides of a door, a plunger interconnecting said handle then extending through said door, and having an inclined cam portion thereon, a bolt having a roller engaging the cam portion of said plunger, a second roller being spring loaded and mounted within said bolt and engaging the opposite side of said plunger from said first-mentioned roller, a tumbler lock in connection with one of said handles, the shaft extending therefrom, a pin laterally reciprocal in said plunger operatively engageable with said shaft, said bolt provided with a recess engageable by said pin when said shaft is rotated, said handles pivoted on a vertical axis.

5. In a door latch and lock of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted handles arranged to be positioned on opposed sides of a door, a plunger intercomiecting said handle then extending through said door, and having an inclined cam portion thereon, a bolt having a roller engaging the cam portion of said plunger, a second roller being spring loaded and mounted within said bolt and engaging the opposite side of said plunger from said firstmentioned roller, atumbler lock in connection with one of said handles, the shaft extending therefrom, a pin laterally reciprocal in said plunger operatively engageable with said shaft, said bolt provided with a recess engageable by said pin when said shaft is rotated, the opposite end of said shaft from said tumbler lock having a manual control knob in connection therewith for manually operating said shaft inwardly of said door.

6. In a door latch and lock of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted handles arranged to be positioned on opposed sides of a door, a plunger interconnecting said handle then extending through said door, and

having an inclined cam portion thereon, a bolt having a roller engaging the cam portion of said plunger, a second' roller lain: wrin loaded. and mounted within said boltand engaging the or posite side of said plunger from, said fimt -menr tioned roller, a tumbler lock in oom'lectionv with one or said handles, the shaft. extending there from, a pin laterally reciprocal in Bald 91111 312! operatively engageable: with said. shaft. said bolt provided with a ream engazeable by said pin when said shaft is retained, the opp site end of said shaft from said tumbler lock having a manual control knob in connection therewith, for manually operating said shaft inwardly oi said door, a guide plate for said plunger, Vsaid shaft having an eccentric portion arranged to inter- REFEBENCES CIEED The following references are of'record in the file of this patent:

Number m Number ere with said guide plate when said shaft- 18 15 rotated.

W. GIFFOBD.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Malone V Got. 20, 1936 Voight Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden Aug. 29, 1908 

